Worship - May 21, 2006

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
May 21, 2006
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God..." (Romans 8:19)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude

Scripture John 15:9-17

*Responsive Call to Worship (back of bulletin)

*Unison Invocation (back of bulletin)

*Hymn "Joyful, joyful, we adore thee" 71

Growing according to God�s Plan
(Reflections on Garden Plants and New Church Members)

Receiving a new member
                Introductions
                Reaffirming Baptismal Vows
                Congregational Reaffirmation (794)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory (Pre-schoolers leave for Bell Ringers & Sunday School)

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise

Hymn "Joys are flowing like a river" 301

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Mark 4:2-20

Message "Cosmos Christianity"

*Replanting

(we will head outdoors, if the weather cooperates)

*Good Soil Songs
             "They'll know we are Christians by our love" (lyric/chords, midi)
             "Tis a gift to be simple"
             "Pass it on" (lyrics/chords, midi)

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Responsive Call to Worship

One: You Who Call, you chose me.
All:    So I know my importance.

One: You chose me.
All:    So I know 1 belong.

One: You chose me.
All:    So I have another opportunity.

One: You chose me.
All:    So I have something to do.

One: You chose me.
All:    So I worship you. Amen.

Ron Martin-Adkins
Candler, North Carolina
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Unison Invocation

Eternal God, in Jesus you chose to be among us and reveal yourself to us. Now we ask for your revealing presence to guide and inspire us in our time of worship so that we might bear fruit worthy of followers of your Chosen One. In his name we pray, Amen.

Ron Martin-Adkins
Candler, North Carolina
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Growing according to God�s Plan

The church member (a deacon) who guided the planting of "seeds of hope" several weeks ago during worship, then care for them at home afterward, will share some personal reflections on the connection between nurturing garden plants and new church members. She may say something to this effect:

In anticipation of receiving new plants, a ready place needs to be made in the soil.
	Likewise, our church needs to be ready to welcome new folks.
After the plants are placed, the soil must be pressed next to the roots so that nourishment can be received by the plants to grow as God intended.
	Likewise, new persons must be incorporated into the life of the congregation so that they can mature in the Christian Faith.
Extra watering and special attention to soil conditions must be provided to ensure that the plants are in a favorable environment.
	Likewise, new members need to be encouraged by intentional nurture.
All plants benefit from good care so that they can grow according to God's plan, flowering and bearing fruit.
	Likewise, all members need regular spiritual enrichment which empowers them to lead their lives as witnesses to the power of God and to the salvation that is theirs through Jesus Christ, their Lord.

Ending with a word addressed to the person joining our congregation on this day:

"We welcome you to grow in this place."

(Teresa M. Albright, 2006)

Receiving new Members

(after being introduced to the congregation by members
who have come to know these newcomers:)

Brother in Christ, you have previously made a confession of your faith and have been a member of his church. We rejoice in your decision to become a member of this congregation, in full covenant relationship with the believers who worship and serve God in this place.

Do you now reaffirm your faith in and loyalty to Jesus Christ, our Lord, and his gospel?

If so, please say: "I do."

As you unite with this church, will you worship, serve, and share in its program, supporting it by your earnest prayers, regular attendance, loyal service, and faithful stewardship, as God gives you strength?

If so, please say: "With God's help, I will."

Do you promise to live and share with us in the bonds of Christian fellowship, giving and receiving Christian love, sharing and bearing one another's joy and pain?

If so, please say: "I do."

Congregational Response

Leader: This persons now presented to you
                 has witnessed to his faith in Jesus Christ
                 and offers himself as a companion in our obedience to Christ.
              It is our privilege and joy to welcome him into our family of faith.

People: We freely receive you, even as Christ has received us.
             We open ourselves to fellowship with you
                    in worship, study, service, and discipline.
             We pledge our willingness to give and receive counsel,
                    to offer and accept forgiveness in the redeemed community.
             We joyfully accept you as partners,
                    both in the care of our spiritual family,
                    and in our mission to the world.

adapted from #794 - by John H. Mosemann, adapted from The Mennonite Hymnal,
copyright�1969 Faith & Life Press/Mennonite Publishing House.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         In the 8^th chapter of his letter to the Romans, after the apostle Paul writes of our adoption into the family of God and the inheritance we all now have in Christ, he then goes on to talk about the rough seasons of life. There will be days for the children of God when the sun may not shine or the rain may not fall, and we may whither on the vine (so to speak). There will come times of persecution for believers. However, as Paul wrote, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God" (vs. 18-19).
         The rest of the 8^th chapter is like a great song of hope, affirming that God�s "Spirit helps us in our weakness ... interceding for us with sighs too deep for words" (vs. 26); that "in all things God works for good for those who love him" (vs. 28); that through all our struggles "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (vs. 37); and that nothing in all creation "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (vs. 39).
         As children adopted into God�s family, with this great affirmation of faith in mind, let�s respond just now with our tithes and offerings. After all, as one translation puts it, "the whole of creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons (and daughters) of God coming into their own" (vs. 19, Phillips). Amen? ...

Ushers?

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Replanting

The congregation will head outdoors, to a spot chosen by the stewards to replant the "seeds of hope" that were planted several weeks ago in worship. As we do, we'll sing some good soil songs.

Benediction